Applying for an extra year of funding via Comepelling Personal Reasons, ASD

Hi,

During the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 academic years, I attended both Leeds Beckett and the University of Derby to study History, however I ended up completing neither year but received full funding for both years.

I made the decision to leave Leeds Beckett due to overwhelming stress and anxiety, which had caused me to fall behind on my course, this further compounded into more stress and anxiety, ultimately resulting in me withdrawing from my course for mental health reasons.

I decided to give the same course another try, this time while living with my parents and attending a university that was much closer to home hoping that this would help. However the same pattern repeated - at the time neither myself or my support network really understood the reasons for me becoming so overwhelmed, as it wasn't until 2020 I was referred to get official NHS testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

It was quite clear to me at this point that I was autistic, despite having to wait until early 2024 to have it confirmed with an official NHS diagnosis. During those four years, I have learnt to manage my condition and have developed effective coping strategies, and for the last two years I have held a customer facing job that has really helped me overcome my social hurdles. I'm now definitely ready and equipped with all of the tools and support I need to successfully pursue my goal of completing an undergradute degree without falling into the same pitfalls as the previous years. This isn't only due to the fact that I've developed my own coping mechanisms, but also that I have a very supportive network now that are fully aware and understand my condition, and I will also easier have access to resources and support from the university itself due to my formal diagnosis.

I'm hoping to study Computer Science with a foundation year at the University of Derby. I've been really passionate about this field ever since I was a child, and although I find History interesting, I chose to study it for the wrong reasons. I think I will greatly benefit from the foundation year of the computer science course due to my significant break from academia.

I've already received an unconditional offer from the University of Derby which I am completely over the moon about! However now I'm in the proccess of applying for student finance, and because I already used two years funding, I need to apply for an extra year with compelling personal reasons.

I've submitted a cover letter that reads similarly to this post but with a few more details, and attached my Autism diagnostic assessment report. I did go to see the GP last week to explain my plans to resume my studies, and she was very supportive and said she would be happy to write a letter, but she said that my Autism diagnostic assessment report should suffice as evidence. The next day when applying, it became evident to me that a letter would go a long way to helping my application, but upon ringing the surgery back they advised this could take up to 8 weeks to receive.

I'm also a bit confused by what the letter is supposed to detail - during the two years I attended uni previously, I didn't see any health professionals about my struggles due to the nature of my condition, I kind of just isolated and bowed out. It wasn't until much later my condition, which is lifelong, was picked up and tested for, so all of the evidence I have is retrospective.

Just looking for some advice pertaining to the last paragraph, or anecdotes from someone who was in a similar situation. Right now, having received my offer the only thing standing between my dreams is getting accepted for the extra year funding, and with the next expected update on my application being 20th-25th august, it's a bit worrying not knowing where I stand.

Thanks!

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 1

Leah SLC

Official Rep

Hi there. For the compelling personal reasons, the best option would be to get a letter to confirm your situation.

For example, we can accept photocopies of the following;

-Letter from a GP on headed paper
-Letter from University on headed paper
-Letter from Social Services on headed paper
-Letter from clergy or professional person on headed paper

The evidence must be;

- Signed and dated
-Confirms the reason why you could not continue with your studies and
- When this took place

We will still review your evidence without the letter, but it would be part of our standard request to have a letter form a professional person who can confirm you situation. Thanks, Leah.

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